A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Xiamen vs. Wollongong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Xiamen or Wollongong?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Wollongong can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Xiamen or Wollongong?

Xiamen

Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.

Wollongong

Wollongong is south of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the third largest city in the state. Wollongong has a unique geography in that it is only six kilometers wide at its widest point and is forty kilometers long. It is squeezed in between the mountains and the ocean and in the process of growth, has swallowed several coastal towns between Dapto and Port Kembla. Wollongong is home to the University of Wollongong and has a diverse population that includes people of Serbian, Croatian, Italian, and Turkish descent among other nationalities. The influence of these cultures is obvious in the city's restaurant and entertainment options. Throughout the city you'll find some wonderful beaches with few crowds and some decent surfing opportunities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Wollongong or Xiamen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $64, while the average daily cost in Wollongong is $121. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Xiamen and Wollongong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xiamen $30
    Wollongong $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xiamen $60
    Wollongong $130
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Wollongong

Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Wollongong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Xiamen


Hotels in Wollongong


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Wollongong Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xiamen $5.98
    Wollongong $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen

Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
  • Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
  • Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
  • Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
  • Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
  • Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hua’an Earth Building: $89
  • Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer between Riyue Gu Hotspring Resort and Xiamen City : $32
  • Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
  • Xiamen North Railway Station Private Transfer from City Area: $19
  • Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Private Transfer to Local Railway Station : $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Wollongong?

Prices for flights to both Wollongong and Xiamen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Xiamen $26
    Wollongong $30

Typical Food Prices in Wollongong

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wollongong:


  • Lunch
    $7.79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xiamen $16
    Wollongong $22

Tours and Activities in Xiamen

For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
  • Xiamen Private One Day Tailor Made Tour with Gulangyu and City Highlights : $176
  • 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
  • 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
  • 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $113
  • A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
  • Day Tour to Admire the Panorama of Gulangyu Island and Visit the Precious Birds: $110
  • Dongshan Island Highlights Full-Day Private Tour: $232
  • Flexible Private Half-Day Tour to Visit the Top Attraction Xiamen Yuanbo Garden: $110
  • Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
  • Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $109

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xiamen $17
    Wollongong $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xiamen is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Xiamen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Wollongong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Wollongong?

Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Wollongong. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Wollongong, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Wollongong?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Xiamen or Wollongong in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Wollongong. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wollongong in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Xiamen is a little warmer than Wollongong in the summer. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in January.

Xiamen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Xiamen 30°C (86°F) 
    Wollongong 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Wollongong in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Wollongong. Additionally, most visitors come to Wollongong for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Xiamen is a little warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Xiamen in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Wollongong averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.

Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Wollongongin April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Xiamen 25°C (77°F) 
    Wollongong 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Wollongongin July. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 14°C (58°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Wollongongin July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Xiamen 14°C (58°F) 
    Wollongong 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Xiamen or Wollongong in the Spring?

Both Wollongong and Xiamen during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Wollongong this time of year.

Xiamen is a little warmer than Wollongong in the spring. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 20°C (69°F) in April, and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Xiamen 20°C (69°F) 
    Wollongong 17°C (63°F)

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Xiamen

Xiamen Wollongong
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 16°C (61°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 20°C (69°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 24°C (76°F) 152 mm (6 in) 14°C (58°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 30°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 16°C (61°F) 25 mm (1 in) 23°C (73°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)